handicapper

noun

hand·​i·​cap·​per ˈhan-di-ˌka-pər How to pronounce handicapper (audio)
-dē-
1
: a person who assigns handicaps
2
: a person who predicts the winners in a contest (such as a horse race)
3
: a person who competes with a (specified) handicap (as in golf)
usually used in combination
a 5-handicapper

Examples of handicapper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mid-year is also a time for market handicappers to update their best guesses on where things go from here. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 14 June 2025 Political handicappers aren’t likely to give Jolly — or any Democrat — much of a chance to win in 2026, even with an open governor’s seat up for grabs. Vivienne Serret, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025 Elections handicapper Sabato’s Crystal Ball predicted earlier this month that Democrats would win back control of the House. Julia Manchester, The Hill, 28 Apr. 2025 But there are hints that the unleashed-animal-spirits theme that kicked in late last year and was part of every handicappers upbeat 2025 outlook is bidding for a do-over. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for handicapper

Word History

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of handicapper was in 1751

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Cite this Entry

“Handicapper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handicapper. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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